South Africa's Wine Regions - dummies South Africa’s Wine Regions South Africa’s Wine Regions South Africa began focusing on table wine production in the 1980s. At the end of the eighteenth century, South Africa was producing a fortified wine called Constantia, which became sought after in European royal courts. Today, South Africa ranks ninth in the world in wine production. Large firms dominate South Africa’s wine industry: Distell, South Africa’s largest winery, owns two groups of wineries that have been among the country’s largest wine companies — Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery Group and the Bergkelder Group. KWV, formerly a wine growers’ cooperative, is one of the country’s largest wineries. South Africa’s principal wine regions South Africa has some vineyard areas with cool microclimates, especially around the southern coast (near the Cape of Good Hope) and in higher altitudes, but the climate in most of its wine regions is warm and dry. South Africa’s Wine of Origin legislation in 1973 created various wine regions, districts and wards.

Almost all the country’s vineyards are near its southwestern coast, in Cape Province, within 90 miles of Cape Town, the country’s most fascinating and picturesque city. The five major districts — mainly in the Coastal Region area — are: Constantia: The oldest wine-producing area in the country (located south of Cape Town) Stellenbosch: East of Cape Town; the most important wine district in quantity and quality Paarl: North of Stellenbosch; home of the KWV and the famous, beautiful Nederburg Estate; the second-most important wine district Franschhoek Valley: A subdistrict of Paarl; many innovative winemakers here Robertson: East of Franschhoek, the only major district not in the Coastal Region; a hot, dry area, known mainly for its Chardonnays The small, cool Hermanus/Walker Bay area, bordering the Indian Ocean, is also showing promise with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, led by the innovative Hamilton Russell Winery. A newly added (11th) wine district, Elgin, is on the coast between Stellenbosch and Walker Bay.

A cool area, Elgin shows promise for its intensely flavored Sauvignon Blancs and for Pinot Noirs. The latest area to show promise is Darling Hills, north of Cape Town, led by an up-and-coming winery, Groote Post. Varietal wines in South Africa must contain at least 75 percent of the named grape variety; exported wines (complying with the stricter European Union regulations) must contain 85 percent of the named variety. About 35 percent of South Africa’s wines qualify as Wine of Origin (WO). Wine of Origin regulations are based on the French Appellation Contrôlée laws, and they strictly designate vineyards, allowable grape varieties, vintage-dating, and so on. Steen, Pinotage, and other grape varieties The most-planted grape variety in South Africa is Chenin Blanc, often locally called Steen. This versatile grape primarily makes medium-dry to semi-sweet wines, but also dry wines, sparkling wines, late harvest botrytis wines, and rosés. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, and Pinot Noir have become increasingly important red varieties, while Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are popular white varieties.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc do particularly well in South Africa’s climate. And then you have Pinotage. Uniquely South African, Pinotage is a grape born as a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (the same as Cinsault, the Rhône variety) back in 1925. However, Pinotage didn’t appear as a wine until 1959. Pinotage wine combines the cherry fruit of Pinot Noir with the earthiness of a Rhône wine. It can be a truly delicious, light- to medium-bodied red wine that makes for easy drinking, or a more powerful red. The best boutique hotels in Cape Wineland (Condé Nast Traveller) Affordable Cape Wineland boutique hotels The off-the-beaten-track foodie and wine district outside Cape Town is home to fantastic hotels The Robertson Small Hotel, Robertson Harriet O'Brien is delighted with a new, oﬀ-the-beaten-track foodie haven outside Cape Town.

Plus, four more affordable Cape Wineland boutique hotels Opening a sophisticated hotel in an out-of-the-way little town could be a risky business at the best of times, yet there is an air of calm confidence about The Robertson Small Hotel. Its location is, in fact, the rationale for the hotel. In Cape Town, word is that the Robertson Valley is on the verge of gaining recognition as a fine wine-producing area. Dating from the 1850s, Robertson is still an old-fashioned agricultural centre, with a trim and tidy church square, a small museum, a cluster of wine shops and a newish art gallery. The Robertson Small Hotel offers the town's first high-end accommodation. The 10-bedroom residence has been carved out of a gracious, and spacious, 1909 house, a pavilion-like building with elegant, wrought-iron verandahs. It contains a bar, a restaurant and three bedrooms. Behind it, the old stables have been converted into two more bedrooms and a honeymoon suite, with a lap pool alongside. Adjacent is the new block, designed to blend in with the Victorian buildings, divided into four big suites that give straight on to another, larger lap pool. The star turn is the restaurant.

Reuben's at The Robertson is the latest venture of one of South Africa's most admired chefs. For his new restaurant he has devised a menu of exquisitely cooked and presented dishes: honest flavours without unnecessary frills, and at pleasing prices too. The Robertson Small Hotel, 58 Van Reenen Street, Robertson (00 27 23 626 7200; ); doubles from £100 WINESA Paarl Paarl Known as the ‘Red Route’ due to the large number of red wines produced in the district, Paarl lies close to Stellenbosch, with mountain ranges including the Klein Drakenstein and Groot mountains to the South. It contains the Berg river, which flows down from these mountains, and into the Paarl wine regions , giving a source of moisture to the surrounding wine farms . It is one of the most important wine-making areas in South Africa , and there are numerous wine farms located across its borders. This area is known for its ability to grow even very difficult wines, thanks to the particular nature of the climate and landscape. Perhaps the most important reason why Paarl has become so big in South Africa is the soil.

There are a few clear varieties of soil in the region that make up wards, separate areas that create distinct wines. Firstly, there is the land along the sides of the Berg River , which begins at Paarl town, and then moves towards the north. The land around the river is a mix of clay and the heavy sandstone brought down the river from Table Mountain. There are also the slopes of the many mountain ranges in the Paarl district. These are mainly decomposed granite, and they impart a very thick mineral background to the soil. The third location is in the north east, where the soil is distinctive, and known as Malmesbury shale. The area around Paarl has been planted since the 17th century, when Dutch settlers made camp in the region . These settlers farmed a variety of different items, including fruit orchards, sheep and cattle, and vegetables, but they quickly found that the best type of farming for the region was vineyards . The production of wine in the district has been constant since the first settlements were created, and there are now many wine farms, wine estates and wineries in the district. Paarl is the largest town in the district, and can be very busy.

The name Paarl comes from a description of the mountain nearby, shimmering in the morning sun, which reminded the settlers of diamonds and pearls. The town was originally known as Paarlberg. It is the home of the KWV wine head office. The KWV was once the most important wine regulatory body in South Africa , but it has fallen out of use due to a number of poor decisions which resulted in many vineyard owners finding it hard to make a living. Paarl was once the heart of the wine industry in South Africa , but it is now competing with a number of other districts. It tries to promote itself through a number of wine-related festivals and celebrations which run throughout the year, designed as tourist attractions. Paarl has also been vigorous in promoting its own Wine Route , which is a path through the town, visiting the various wine farms which are spread out around the surrounding countryside. The ambition to be top once again attracts wine farmers who feel driven, but it is unlikely that Paarl will ever again be the top wine producing district in South Africa.

Guide to South Africa's wine regions Quick Guide: South Africa's wine regions Emerging from the shadow of Apartheid, South Africa is increasingly making better wines which usually represent good value for money at all levels on the quality scale. Although South Africa is classed as a 'new world' region, wines it produces are often nicely poised between the new world and old world styles. Look out for reds from South Africa's 'own' variety, Pinotage, which makes striking gamey and earthy-tasting wines, often with a savoury, cheesy edge to them. The most famous regions are Stellenbosch, Paarl and Constantia, although cooler regions such as Walker Bay are beginning to attract attention. Click map to enlarge Constantia Historical region that's tucked away in the smart southern suburbs of Cape Town (this is where the first vineyards were planted in South Africa), now undergoing a bit of a revival. As well as being a beautiful region, the vineyards are ideally sited on the slopes of Constantia Mountain, where they are cooled by the sea breezes. Just five estates here, all good: Klein Constantia, Groot Constantia, Buitervenwachting, Constantia Uitsig and Steenberg.

Elgin Newish cool-climate region east of Stellenbosch, which is still predominantly a fruit-growing area. Because of the altitude, it's usually a good few degrees cooler than the main wineland regions. Leading producer is Paul Cluver, but some of the 12 other grape growers apparently have plans to bottle their own wines soon. Franschoek The Franschoek valley is a small but significant region, inland (to the west) of Stellenbosch. Surrounded by the spooky-sounding Drakenstein mountains, the wide variety of soils and relatively high rainfall permits production of a wide variety of wine styles. It's a hotter region than Stellenbosch, and with its profusion of trendy restaurants it can rightfully claim to be the gourmet capital of the winelands. An easy day trip from Cape Town. Paarl Well known region north-west of Cape Town, and home to several leading producers, including Veenwouden, Nederburg, Fairview, Glen Carlou and Plaisir de Merle. Traditionally a white wine region, but with its Mediterranean climate and terroirs it's now focusing more on reds.

Hotter than Stellenbosch, so the very best wines come from the more elevated vineyards. Robertson Some 120 km east of Cape Town, next door to Worcester, this hot region is rather paradoxically best known for its whites. De Wetshof, Springfield and Graham Beck are among the leading producers here. Stellenbosch Just a short distance east of Cape Town, this is the country's leading wine area, and is home to many of the country's leading estates. The town itself is dominated by the University, and despite its relatively large size has quite a relaxed feel. Vineyards fringed by mountains make for some lovely views, and the wine route, which takes tourists through several different trails, is well marked out. There are several different subregions, and the geology here is quite complex. Simplistically, the granite-based soils in the east are especially suited to the production of fine red wines, whereas the sandstone soils in the west are best for whites. Swartland Large region to the north of Cape Town, mostly given over to wheat farming. Rainfall is light, so irrigation is usually needed. The cooperatives dominate.

Walker Bay This cool-climate wine region, on the Whale Coast to the south of Cape Town, is on the up: just a few producers so far, but Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson are now making classy Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc shows promise. Worcester Hot (thermally, that is) wine region located inland from Cape Town. Production here is dominated by several large cooperatives. South African Wine (with Maps) | Wine Folly Cabernet Sauvignon 30,000 acres (2011) There is a savory complexity to South African Cab, which makes it a delightful alternative to the more fruit-forward Cab values from Paso Robles or Sonoma , California. Imagine black pepper, bell pepper rounded out with currant, blackberry and plum. South African Cabernet Sauvignon fits somewhere inbetween new world and old world; it's savory, but without all the grit of a French Bordeaux Superieur .

Check out these wine regions: Paarl & Stellenbosch (Coastal Region) Syrah 25,500 acres (2011) The Chocolate Block which is mostly South African Syrah has taken the US (and Cosco) by storm. Syrah from South Africa is becoming popular due to its dark spiced fruit flavors with a chocolate like richness. It's important to note that since Syrah grows thoughout South Africa, it has a wide range of styles. You will find more savory wines from cooler regions such as Paarl and Stellenbosch and more richly intense wines from dry areas such as Robertson and Swartland. Paarl & Stellenbosch (Coastal Region) Swartland (includes Malmsbury and Darling) Pinotage 16,000 acres (2011) Pinotage is South Africa's very own grape variety; a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault . However, watch out Pinot Noir lovers, just because it's made with Pinot Noir doesn't mean it tastes the same! Pinotage offers juicy raspberry to blueberry fruit flavors with spiced chocolate and tobacco.

The wines are much more dense, higher alcohol and typically more savory than Pinot Noir. Pinotage often gets blended with Syrah. Diemersfontein Chenin Blanc 42,500 acres (2011) The most planted grape variety in South Africa is known by the same Steen. Most of the Chenin Blanc produced goes into brandy production but there's a growing excitment internationally for South African Chenin Blanc. A peachy and floral grape variety not unlike Alsatian Pinot Gris and Viognier although most affordable examples are only slightly floral and dry on the palate. You could easily substitute your usual Pinot Gris for a bottle of South African Chenin Blanc. Ken Forrester (floral and aromatic style | Stellenbosch) MAN vintners (dry and zesty | Coastal Region) Badenhorst (richly fruity | Swartland) Colombard 29,000 acres (2011) Known in South Africa as 'Colombar' this esoteric white wine grape from the central France (close to Bordeaux) is actually quite commonly used to add Sauvignon Blanc-like zestiness to Chenin Blanc based white wine blends.

Still, a large chunk of the wine production goes towards brandy making. Sauvignon Blanc 23,800 acres (2011) If you're tired of spending nearly $20 for a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa has you pegged. The flavors of Sauvignon Blanc in South Africa have a lot of similarities to New Zealand; they are zesty, grapefruit-y and grassy and usually around $10 a bottle. Chardonnay 20,000 acres (2011) As a cool climate variety, a lot of South Africa's regions aren't particularly well suited for Chardonnay. However, the coastline along the South stays cool. Look for Chardonnay from Walker Bay. Other South African Whites Other white varietals include Semillon , Riesling , Viognier which are often used for blending, but increasingly found in single-varietal boutique bottlings. Groot Constantia. source A lil' History on South African Wine The Dutch East India Company used Cape Town as a resupply stop on route to India during the 1600s. Settlers planted wine grapes to quench thirsty sailors.

As you can imagine, the wine sucked until the second Governer of Cape Town, Simon van der Stel, focused on making a better vineyard. He began producing a dessert wine called Constantia. During the mid-1700s to mid-1800s, dessert wines were actually some of the most in demand wines of the day. Constantia was as famous as other dessert wines of the day including Hungarian Tokaji and French Sauternes. Sadly, South Africa's wine market took a turn for the worse when grape phylloxera completely obliterated its vineyards. Sources Wine Routes and South African Wine Areas wosa.us Wine Map derived from Wosa.co.za James Moleworth South African wine recommendations on Winespectator assets Image of Western Cape with topographic overlay on wikimedia commons SUBSCRIBE TO GET FRESH WEEKLY WINE STORIES Newsletter Signup Winelands of South Africa Winelands of South Africa WINEGROWING AREAS The Cape winelands stretch from the rugged mountains and multi-directional slopes of the coastal region to the open plains of the Klein Karoo where viticulture takes place mainly in the riverine valleys. South Africa's vineyards are mostly situated in the Western Cape near the coast.

Rainfall on the coastal side, where fynbos and renosterveld vegetation flourish, measures up to 1 000 mm per year. Travel over the mountains into the hinterland and the rainfall decreases dramatically with the vegetation dominated by hardy succulents, cycads and aloes. Currently around 98 597 hectares of vines producing wine grapes are under cultivation over an area some 800 km in length. Under the auspices of the Wine of Origin Scheme, production zones in the Cape winelands are divided into officially demarcated regions, districts and wards. There are six regions in the geographical unit of the Western Cape – Breede River Valley, Cape South Coast, Coastal Region, Klein Karoo, Olifants River and Boberg (for use in respect of fortified wines from Paarl, Franschhoek, Wellington and Tulbagh), which encompass 26 diverse districts and some 69 smaller wards.

Another four geographical units exist: KwaZulu-Natal; Northern Cape (which includes the production areas Hartswater (ward), Douglas (district), Central Orange River (ward), Rietrivier FS (ward) and Sutherland Karoo (district)); Eastern Cape, which includes the production area St Francis Bay (ward) and Limpopo. List of production areas defined in terms of the Wine of Origin Scheme BOT RIVER The Bot River ward is the gateway to Walker Bay and encompasses the Bot River village and valley, stretching from the Bot River lagoon up into the foothills of the Groenlandberg and Babylonstoren mountain ranges, and bordering the Kogelberg Biosphere. The area is renowned for its cool maritime microclimate, which is influenced by its proximity to the lagoon and Walker Bay – cooling afternoon winds blow up the valley off the sea. Soils are mainly homogenous Bokkeveld shale (predominantly Glen Rosa and Klapmuts) and Table Mountain sandstone. Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, Shiraz and other Rhône varietals fare particularly well here.

Bot River is home to an eclectic mix of handcrafted wineries and its rustic charm lies in its quirky character. BREEDEKLOOF The Breedekloof district is characterised by vineyards which flourish on alluvial valley soils with adequate drainage as they rest on a bed of river stones. It covers a large proportion of the Breede River Valley and its tributaries. There are marked variations between the soils and mesoclimates in the different river valleys. This district incorporates the Goudini and Slanghoek wards. There are some 24 wineries on the Breedekloof Wine Route. CAPE AGULHAS Most of these maritime vineyards are situated in the ward of Elim near Africa's southernmost point, Cape Agulhas. The entire picturesque village of Elim, a Moravian mission settlement founded in 1824, is a national monument. Strong, cooling winds are prevalent in summer, ensuring a very cool ripening season, perfect for Sauvignon Blanc and also promising for Semillon and Shiraz. Generating much interest in the winelands, the still small hectarage of this coastal district shows great potential.

CAPE POINT These maritime vineyards, some of them a mere kilometre from the sea, are situated on the western fringe of the narrow Cape Peninsula district. These cool-climate vineyards are recognised for Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. CEDERBERG Some of South Africa’s remotest and highest vineyards are found in this stand-alone ward, which borders on the Olifants River regions (see separate entry). Some exciting wines are emanating from this ward in the Cederberg mountain range, which is best known for its Sauvignon and Shiraz, as well as its Chardonnay, Chenin and Cabernet. CENTRAL ORANGE RIVER The most northerly winegrowing area in the Cape comprises an area of some 4 687 ha, which stretch in close proximity to the Orange River. Predominantly a white grape area, reds are being increasingly planted. The wine grape varieties grown here are Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Chardonnay, Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Muscadel (both red and white) and Muscat d'Alexandrie.

Large trellising systems are employed in this region of which the hut, gable and T-trellises are the most in use. These create special microclimates which protect the grapes, allowing them to ripen away from exposure to the direct rays of the sun. Specific mesoclimates are created within vineyards located on the islands between the different streams of the Orange River where the close proximity to the water cools down the grapes to a considerable degree. The conditions contribute to creating climate pockets which are conducive to production of better quality wines. The styles of wine produced by the various wineries along the 350 km stretch of river differ singularly in style and flavour from the eastern to the western wineries. The soil types also vary greatly. The wines of the more eastern cellars are characterised by higher natural acids and lower pH readings, resulting in quite delicate sensory profiles. CONSTANTIA On the southern slopes of the Table Mountain range and its world-renowned floral kingdom lies the historic Constantia valley, the cradle of winemaking in the Cape.

The valley, which falls within the Cape Peninsula disrict, was the site of Simon van der Stel's 17th-century wine farm and the origin of the Constantia dessert wines which became famous throughout Europe during the 18th century. Rooted in ancient soils, the vineyards climb up the east-facing slopes of the Constantiaberg, where the vines benefit from the cool sea breezes blowing in from False Bay. The ward receives about 1 000mm of rain annually, making irrigation unnecessary, and has a mean February temperature of 20.6°C. There are only a handful of cellars in this premier ward, where the cool climate favours the production of white wines, notably Sauvignon Blanc, and where the tradition of producing remarkable wines since 1685 continues. DARLING Darling, which is just an hour’s drive away from Cape Town, features several tourist attractions. The Darling district incorporates the Groenekloof ward, which benefits from being one of the closest to the cooling Atlantic and is known for the exceptional quality of its Sauvignon Blanc, the variety which initially spearheaded the viticultural progress of this area.

Now wines with exceptional flavour expressions are also being produced from other varieties. DURBANVILLE The vineyards of Durbanville, like those of Constantia, lie very close to Cape Town and border on the northern suburbs. Several estates and wineries, situated mainly on the rolling hill slopes with their various aspects and altitudes, continue to make a wide variety of wine styles. Some of the vineyards grow at altitudes as high as 380 metres above sea level. Wines from this ward attracting attention are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep soils, cooling sea breezes, night-time mists and close proximity to the ocean are beneficial factors when it comes to the quality of the grapes. ELGIN Only an hour east of Cape Town, the high-lying cool-climate Elgin district, cradled in the ancient sandstone Hottentots Holland mountains, was traditionally an apple-growing region. Now award-winning wine showing exceptional fruit and elegance are produced here, with Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Shiraz doing particularly well in this later-ripening, cooler terroir.

FRANSCHHOEK The district of Franschheok has retained its distinct French Huguenot character. Regarded as the 'culinary capital' of the Cape, Franschhoek is a member of The Délice Network of Good Food Cities of the World. The Franschhoek valley lies to the southeast of Paarl and is enclosed on three sides by towering mountains: the Groot Drakenstein and Franschhoek mountains which meet at the top of the valley and the Klein Drakenstein and Simonsberg mountains, found further down towards Paarl. Streams from the higher peaks flow down to the valley floor where they converge to form the Berg River, fast-flowing in winter when snow caps the peaks and a mere stream in summer, fed by the Wemmershoek Dam. KLEIN KAROO This semi-arid, elongated region stretches from Montagu, via higher-lying Barrydale towards Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn and the Langkloof. The area is known for relative extremes when it comes to soils and climate. Viticulture takes place mainly in kloofs, valleys and riverine sites in a rugged mountainous landscape.

Muscat varieties flourish here and the area is known for its sweet wines. Today, there is an increasing focus on reds like Merlot made in an easy-drinking style. Calitzdorp is famous for its port-style wines and here you'll find plantings of Tinta Barocca, Touriga Nacional and, on a small scale, Souzao. More recently, red wines made from the varieties typically used to make port are creating new interest here. The Klein Karoo is renowned for the quality of its potstill brandies which have brought home international accolades. The most recently proclaimed district in the region is Langeberg-Garcia – situated north of the Langeberg mountain range between the Brand River in the west and the Gourits River in the east, it encompasses the scenic Garcia Pass. KWAZULU-NATAL This geographical unit stretches from Greytown to Oribi Flats and the Midlands, where altitudes are up to 1 500 metres, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. It’s early days yet but indications have been promising. MALGAS This pioneering new ward is set on a stony plateau 80 km east of Cape Agulhas.

The vineyards, which are mainly planted to drought-resistant Mediterranean varieties, lie some 70 metres above the Breede River. The complex stony soils and warm dry climate (350 mm of rain per annum), which is moderated by constant sea breezes from the coast some 15 km away, offer excellent potential for growing vines. OLIFANTS RIVER This region stretches in a belt from north to south along the broad valley of the Olifants River. The summers in this valley range from relatively warm to cool compared with some of South Africa's other wine areas and rainfall is low. Soils vary from sandy to red clay loams. With careful canopy management, which ensures grapes are shaded by the vines' leaves, combined with modern winemaking techniques, the Olifants River is proving to be a source of quality, affordable wines. The region incorporates the wards of Koekenaap, Vredendal and Spruitdrift as well as Bamboes Bay on the West Coast, which is generating some excitement, especially when it comes to Sauvignon Blanc. The predominantly citrus-producing Citrusdal valley lies in the southern reaches of the Olifants River valley.

The soils are mainly sandy alluvial soils from the surrounding Table Mountain sandstone mountains in the southern part of the valley up until Clanwilliam. Irrigation is obtained from the Clanwilliam dam where the water is of an excellent quality. The area incorporates the higher-lying ward of Piekenierskloof. VERBERG Newer viticultural areas have opened up in the southerly Overberg district, with award-winning wines emerging from the Klein River ward near Stanford. PAARL The Paarl wine district lies to the north of Stellenbosch, and is bordered by the town of Wellington to the north-east, and the mountains of the Groot and Klein Drakenstein and Franschhoek ranges to the south-east. The Berg River, flanked by the majestic Groot Drakenstein and Wemmershoek mountains, runs through Paarl and is the life-giving artery of this wine-producing area. The valley land requires supplementary irrigation in the hot growing season before the harvest, but vineyards on the eastern slopes, having better water retention, frequently need none at all.

A large variety of grapes are grown in Paarl, of which Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc have the best potential. The Paarl district includes the wards of Simonsberg-Paarl, on the prime foothills of the Simonsberg, and Voor Paardeberg. PHILADELPHIA A newer ward north of Durbanville, Philadelphia also benefits from cooling Atlantic influences. The hilly terrain of this area means some of the vineyards are higher than usual, up to 260m above sea level. This facilitates a significant difference in day-night temperature and results in slower ripening. Some highly regarded Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots and red blends have already emerged from this promising appellation. PLETTENBERG BAY The first vines were planted in 2000 in this pioneering district, the newest and furthest appellation up the east coast, in mountainous terrain some 20 km east of Plettenberg Bay, with its wealth of natural beauty, unspoilt beaches and excellent whale watching in season.

The cool coastal climate – vineyards are some three kilometres from the sea – and high carbon content of the soils are proving ideal for Sauvignon Blanc. ROBERTSON Dubbed the 'valley of vines and roses', the Robertson district's lime-rich soils make the area eminently suitable for racehorse stud farming and also, of course, winegrowing. Situated in the Breede River valley, the river is the lifeblood of this lower rainfall region. Although summer temperatures can be high, cooling south-easterly winds channel moisture-laden air into the valley. Robertson is renowned for the quality of its wines and while traditionally considered white wine territory and known mainly for its Chardonnays and more recently for the quality of its Sauvignon Blanc, it is also the source of some of the Cape's finest red wines, particularly Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, while the distinctive fortified dessert wines for which it was originally famed continue to be produced. The district of Robertson incorporates several wards, including Bonnievale.

STELLENBOSCH The historical town of Stellenbosch, which features some of the finest examples of Cape Dutch architecture, boasts a winemaking tradition which stretches back to the end of the 17th-century. The mountainous terrain, good rainfall, deep well-drained soils and diversity of terroirs make this a sought-after viticultural area. The rapidly increasing number of wine estates and producers (some 170) includes some of the most famous names in Cape wine. The district, with its mix of historic estates and contemporary wineries, produces excellent examples of almost all the noble grape varieties and is known for the quality of its blended reds. Stellenbosch, the 'town of oaks', is also the educational and research centre of the winelands. Stellenbosch University is the only university in South Africa which offers a degree in viticulture and oenology, and it has many of the country’s most successful winemakers as alumni. The Elsenburg School of Agriculture is also near Stellenbosch, as is the Nietvoorbij Institute of Viticulture and Oenology.

This organisation has one of the most modern experimental wineries in the world and, at its experimental farms (situated in several winegrowing districts), important research into new varietals, clones and rootstocks is undertaken. The intensively farmed Stellenbosch district has been divided up into several smaller viticultural pockets including Banghoek, Bottelary, Devon Valley, Jonkershoek Valley, Papegaaiberg, Polkadraai Hills and Simonsberg-Stellenbosch. *Stellenbosch Wine Route, the oldest in the country and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Western Cape, has created five manageable sub-routes for tourists: Bottelary Hills, Greater Simonsberg, Helderberg, Stellenbosch Berg and Stellenbosch Valley. SUTHERLAND-KAROO This high-altitude semi-arid district in the Northern Cape centres around Sutherland, which is South Africa’s coldest town.

SWARTLAND Traditionally a grain-producing area, in summer the Swartland district is marked by green pockets of vineyards clambering up the foothills of the mountains (Piketberg, Porterville, Riebeek, Perdeberg) and along the banks of the Berg River. In the past, the region was planted mainly to bushvines but trellising is increasingly being adopted due to advances in management strategies and quality considerations. The Swartland literally translated means ‘the black land’ and the area takes its name from the now endangered indigenous renosterbos (rhino bush) which once turned the landscape a dark colour at certain times of the year. The district was traditionally a source of robust, full-bodied red wines and high quality, fortified wines. The Swartland Independent Producers (SIP) is a coming together of a group of like-minded producers working to express a true sense of place in the wines of the Swartland. Click here to read more about the framework they work within. In recent times, some exciting award-winning wines have emerged, both red and white, and the area continues to produce top port-style wines.

Increasing percentages of Pinotage, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are being grown here, as well as Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. It has two designated wards, Malmesbury and Riebeekberg. The district of Swartland borders Piketberg to the north, which is not dissimilar in both geography and climate. TULBAGH Surrounded on three sides by the Groot Winterhoek, Witsenberg and Obiekwaberg mountains, the vineyards of the Tulbagh district grow alongside orchards and fields of wheat. Soils in the valley are extremely variable. The area is characterised by extreme differences in day and night temperatures. Mountainous terrain creates numerous different mesoclimates which can be used to great advantage. Unique to the valley's geographical composition is the 'cold trap', a phenomenon which occurs as a result of the encapsulating mountains, shaped like a horseshoe, with Tulbagh situated at the north of the 'bowl'. Within this bowl, once a prehistoric lake, the cold air of the previous night lies undisturbed.

With no air movement from the sides, this cold bubble is trapped under the warming air above as the sun makes its way from east to west. The result is relatively cool average daily temperatures. The town of Tulbagh boasts 32 national monuments on one street, and here history and tradition work hand-in-hand with innovation. With today's high-tech water management and advanced viticultural practices, the true potential of this area is starting to be realised. At present there are some 13 wineries - several of them relative newcomers making acclaimed wines, notably Shiraz and Méthode cap classique – in this secluded valley. WALKER BAY This district, surrounding the seaside town of Hermanus, is reputed for the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines which emanate from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley – this encompasses the wards of Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Sunday’s Glen and Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley (see separate entry for the Bot River ward). The area is also being noticed for the outstanding and consistent quality of its Pinotage. Fine examples of Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Shiraz are also being produced here.

The cool climate is the sought-after attribute in this area where vineyards benefit from persistent cooling winds from the nearby ocean. The soils – predominantly weathered shales – and terroir are also ideal for cool-climate loving varieties. Further to the east lies the Stanford Foothills ward. WELLINGTON Some of the wineries in this burgeoning district, which is a mere 45-minutes from Cape Town, stretch over alluvial terraces towards the Swartland's rolling hills and wheat fields, while others are found in the foothills of the towering Hawequa mountains, where folds and valleys create unique mesoclimates. Wellington, which supplies over 85% of the South African wine industry with cuttings, also boasts some 26 wine producers ranging from historical estates to boutique wineries. In winter, snow sometimes covers the mountain tops and night temperatures are generally cooler than at the coast some 60 km away. WORCESTER The Worcester district, in conjunction with the Breedekloof district (see separate entry), is the largest in terms of winegrowing area and volume, with the historical town of Worcester the hub of the valley.

With around 21 853 ha planted, it accounts for nearly 20% of the national vineyards and produces close on 27% of South Africa's total volume of wine and spirits. It's also the most important brandy producing area and home to the KWV Brandy Cellar, the largest of its kind in the world. Several of the cellars here are bottling quality wines under their own labels. This district comprises several wards. WINESA Wine in South Africa Most wines from South Africa are world class. South Africa has a long association with wine, going back nearly 400 years. Wine quickly became a major export for the colony, and by the end of the First World War the growers in the area around Cape Town were flourishing. The South African Wine Farmers Association was founded in 1930, with assistance from British wine agents. During the 1970s, the government introduced Wine of Origin labels, which located each of the farms within a series of wine wards . All of the wine given ‘single vineyard’ status must come from within that ward. Groups of wards in a particular area are called districts, and districts are described as belonging to particular regions.

These labels help wine tasters to understand where each particular wine has been grown and distilled. The earliest wines were grown around the Cape Town area in the mid 1650s, being developed by members of the Dutch East-India Company. The vines appear to have been planted in order to provide grapes, and wine was originally produced in 1659 . By the end of the 17th century the famous Constantia wine estate had been established by Simon Van der Stel, the governor of the Cape area. Constantia is still a wine producing area, and anyone who enjoys sampling wine is familiar with this region. From the end of the seventeenth century until the third quarter of the eighteenth, wine production in South Africa fell considerably. Revival was only really begun in 1778, with the development of dessert wines which were a great favourite of the British owners. Wine production and exports , particularly to the British Isles, were particularly strong during the early nineteenth century, when a dispute with France caused high taxation for the latter’s exports to Britain. This was only ended in the 1860s, and from this time South African wine exports were considerably diminished.

This was exacerbated by the arrival of Phylloxera, a blight caused by aphids, which would practically wipe out South Africa’s vineyards. Many former growers abandoned vines, and started to grow ordinary fruit orchards instead, as well as developing Ostrich farms. Fill in your SA wine request - click here. Wine growing in South Africa did not really recover until the beginning of the twentieth century, when the planting of millions of vines caused a Wine Lake (an access of wine). This caused the price of South African wine to plummet, resulting in the government developing a Winegrowers Co-operative known as the KWV. This co-operative eventually came to dominate the wine industry in South Africa , setting minimum prices for wine, and restricting wine yields, thereby helping to restore the former price of South African wines . As the 20th century advanced, South Africa became increasingly isolated, in part due to the sanctions imposed due to Apartheid. The country’s wine industry at this period remained very insular, and few outside of South Africa knew about the many interesting wines which were being produced there. During this time, wine growers who were interested in developing new vines were often forced to import plants secretly.

This sometimes resulted in mistakes being made in the identification of grapes, so for example supposed Chardonnay vines turned out to be Shiraz or Auxerrois Blanc . After the end of Apartheid the mistakes were corrected, and true Chardonnay grapes are now the third most widely grown white grape within South Africa. The end of the KWV’s dominance in the 1990s also allowed wine growers to be more competitive, with some choosing to grow table or juice grapes, rather than those reserved for wine. As South African wine became more popular, growers again turned to wine production, so that by 2003 over two thirds of all South African grapes were being used to create collections of much-loved South African wine .

Question: Robertson, Constantia and Pearl are wine producing districts in which country?
Answer: South Africa